The Honorable Naphtali Ben Naphtali, Chief of Chiefs of the Israelite community was born Ernest G. Foles to his parents Ernest and Violet Foles at St. Mary’s Hospital in Brooklyn, NY on June 30, 1942.
He often spoke of his mother’s courage, intelligence, and the necessary tough love she practiced with him and his brother. She was the major force in his life. He spoke of an incident, when as a young child, his father demanded that he read a book when he wanted so much to go outside and play. He read that book, and his love of the written word was born. He couldn’t get enough. His voracity for reading continued throughout his life. He would tell of his raids of local libraries, where he read Shakespeare, Lord Byron, Chaucer, Clemens (or Twain), W.E.B Dubois, Hughes, Angelou, and yes, he even read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.
After graduating from Boys High School in Brooklyn, a very young Ernest, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1959. He was still a minor and needed his mother’s consent. After serving his tour of duty, he was honorably discharged on June 14, 1961.
Upon leaving the military, he returned to his native Brooklyn. He worked many jobs to support his growing family. However, none was as memorable as his job as a mover. The foreman of the crew took notice of him because of his demeanor and began to speak to him about GOD. Ironically, Ernest was an atheist! He could not relate to the concept of a loving GOD when there were so many who suffered, especially so many in his immediate circle. The foreman, Tapuach, felt the need to get through to him and show him that GOD indeed existed. Tapuach brought Ernest a Hebrew Scriptures and told him to read it. Although it seems implausible, as much as he loved to read, Ernest had never read the Bible. He began his journey as he read through the pages of the Scriptures; they enveloped him. He had many questions and feelings about what he read. Tapuach took him to meet Chief Counsel Daniel, often called “Read the Book” Daniel. The transformation of his life had begun, and soon thereafter, Ernest acknowledged his heritage, and more importantly the existence of and his connection to the Living GOD. Naphtali Ben Naphtali was born; he often called himself the “twice- born” son of the Living GOD!
Chief Counsel Daniel was a member of Yisrael Atiq, an affiliate of B’nai Zaken. Naphtali was enthralled with his first teacher and soaked up every word. It wouldn’t be long before his natural bearing and behavior, poise and courage would be recognized, and Chief Prince, Yaakov Ben Yehudah would appoint him to the nobility and make him a Chief. Through the 1970s and 80s, Chief Naphtali continued to serve his leaders and congregation fervently. As situations developed and people moved, the core group splintered. Some of the New York- based congregants formed a group called Yachad, which originally was an informal meeting of Israelite men.
In 1994, Princes Tsippor and Yeriel founded Sh’ma Yisrael. Chief Naphtali was the third officer of this new congregation and played a principle role in its development. As a result, Chief Naphtali had become, in fact and by appointment, the Chief of Chiefs. The great man served proudly and dutifly as counselor and teacher at Sh’ma Yisrael for 17 years.
Chief Naphtali was a great man. The evidence of his wisdom was best seen in his humility and in his loving devotion to his wife.